I think i found a DANDY 36 no dash??

[chadster01]

Traded yesterday for this 36 no dash "Chiefs Special". I just went through like 2000 pics online and couldn't find hardly any pics of one like mine... and no pics of one in this condition... is it a less common version? The old guy I traded with thought it was fairly new because he purchased 2 years ago... As im finding out this is not the case. Came with no box Im having a hellauva time finding a born on date and hope some of you experts can help. this is what I know.... SN# 338131 with matching # grip panels. 3" tapered barrel. "Flat latch" cyl. release. I just cant believe how mint it is (which makes me say "Why no box darn it?") Any info much appreciated. Thanks in advance guys. the last pic is with my "minty" 18-3(my first)

 

[chadster01]

A few more pics...

 

[jimmyj]

Hi:
NO BOX !
Prior to joining this Forum, I did not know that the box had any valuable !
I am sure other purchasers/owners of Smith and Wesson handguns were like me.
Some day I will confess how I ruined two RMs 3.5" revolvers in the era of 1960-1970.

 

[SC_Mike]

It's a beautiful piece, box or not.

Heck, I've started collecting boxes to handguns I've never owned.

 

[chadster01]

I know or should I say I have read that model numbers started 1957 and the 3rd style of "Flat Latch" was discontinued in 1966. But is there a way to narrow it down more? Does anyone know which style of the "Flat Latch" that is on mine(pic)? 1st 2nd 3rd??? That would get me closer yet to a born on date?? Mabee?? EDIT more investigation has got me to1964ish???

 

[hotrod150]

SCSW says 1962 s/n 295000 & 1969 s/n 786544.
The flat latch went away in 1966 so FWIW I'd say yours is somewhere between 1962 & 1966.

 

[bananaman]

Beautiful 36! I only have 1 J frame a 1981, 36 snub (2"). I thought a 3 incher, but went with short. It now wears banana round butt target grips. Enjoy your fine 36! You did not you traded to get it. We are curious. Bob

 

[tim c]

i think 1964 would be about right
very nice 36

 

[firemanhank]

Thats a great looking gun.

 

[chadster01]

Beautiful 36! I only have 1 J frame a 1981, 36 snub (2"). I thought a 3 incher, but went with short. It now wears banana round butt target grips. Enjoy your fine 36! You did not you traded to get it. We are curious. Bob

Traded 2001 Super Redhawk... He had what I wanted so I hads to do what I hads to do...

 

[JP@AK]

Traded yesterday for this 36 no dash "Chiefs Special". I just went through like 2000 pics online and couldn't find hardly any pics of one like mine... and no pics of one in this condition... is it a less common version? The old guy I traded with thought it was fairly new because he purchased 2 years ago... As im finding out this is not the case. Came with no box Im having a hellauva time finding a born on date and hope some of you experts can help. this is what I know.... SN# 338131 with matching # grip panels. 3" tapered barrel. "Flat latch" cyl. release. I just cant believe how mint it is (which makes me say "Why no box darn it?") Any info much appreciated. Thanks in advance guys. the last pic is with my "minty" 18-3(my first)

Hello
#353801 letters to September, 1964, so yours probably shipped earlier that same year. It is in remarkable shape. Nice find.
The latch is the third style flat latch - the last of them, before they were replaced with the contoured type in 1966.

 

[chadster01]

Hello
#353801 letters to September, 1964, so yours probably shipped earlier that same year. It is in remarkable shape. Nice find.
The latch is the third style flat latch - the last of them, before they were replaced with the contoured type in 1966.

Thank you so much JP@AK. If you may sir, can you explain to me(newbee) what the terminology "letters to" means and how I can find these kind of things out on my own. And also I traded a super redhawk that I had 2 offers of $600 for the day I "Armslisted" it and also the offer of the 36(Minty S&W Revolvers listed for wanted trades)... Do you think I "overspent"? The thing is the old fella was a 44bigbore fan and only wanted my 44 not cash for his 36 so it really was the only way he wanted to let it go. Thanks.... Heres a few more neat pics I took last night... Carry on...

 

[JP@AK]

Sure. For $50 you can request and receive an official letter from the S&W Historian, Mr. Roy Jinks.
It will give you a brief history of the model gun that you own. It will also give you the specific date the gun was shipped from the factory and to whom it was shipped (usually a wholesaler or distributor, but sometimes the recipient is more interesting than that). It will also give you some details as to the way the firearm was originally configured (finish, stocks, maybe the sights).
If you desire to obtain such a letter, you can start by using the link included below. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully. Right now, the turn-around time for letters is 2-3 months.

Firearm History Request - Smith & Wesson

 

[JP@AK]

I traded a super redhawk that I had 2 offers of $600 for the day I "Armslisted" it and also the offer of the 36(Minty S&W Revolvers listed for wanted trades)... Do you think I "overspent"?

Some might say you paid just a bit too much for your CS. However, it is in very nice condition and you did not put out cash for it, so I think you did okay. The fact is, it is more a matter of what you wanted, since the cash difference is minimal (maybe $100).
I own both a Redhawk and a Chiefs Special. I carry the CS a lot and shoot it occasionally. I rarely shoot the Ruger. I'm not sure I'd have made the trade, but only because I'd just as soon keep both.
You wrote:

He had what I wanted so I hads to do what I hads to do.

Sounds like you wanted the CS and didn't really care if you kept the Ruger. So, I'd say you did the right thing under the circumstances.
That is a very nice Model 36!
Cheers.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

Sure. For $50 you can request and receive an official letter from the S&W Historian, Mr. Roy Jinks.
It will give you a brief history of the model gun that you own. It will also give you the specific date the gun was shipped from the factory and to whom it was shipped (usually a wholesaler or distributor, but sometimes the recipient is more interesting than that). It will also give you some details as to the way the firearm was originally configured (finish, stocks, maybe the sights).
If you desire to obtain such a letter, you can start by using the link included below. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully. Right now, the turn-around time for letters is 2-3 months.

Firearm History Request - Smith & Wesson

Factory Letters are taking about 5 Months at the moment.

 

[Engine49guy]

3" J frame square butts are really neat revolvers and kinda look like miniature M&P's.
Here are three different flavors,
3" Model 37 flat latch (top), 3" Model 36 tapered (center) and 3" HB 36-1.